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O'Neill is planning without McNair for Northern Ireland's crucial forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Norway in Belfast on March 26 and Azerbaijan in Baku on June 10.

It is hoped he will be back fit and available for the double header against San Marino (A) and Czech Republic (H) in early September, before Northern Ireland conclude their campaign against Germany and Norway the following month.

“Hopefully we will see Paddy back playing and in the squad again come September,” said O'Neill.

“It goes without saying, we wish him a speedy recovery.”

McNair has won 14 caps since making his debut in a friendly defeat to Scotland in March 2015 and he featured against Poland and Ukraine at the Euro 2016 finals in France.